Latest Press Release

Issue date: 5 July 2010

 

Disappointment at Health Minister’s remarks

 

The RGA is very disappointed by remarks made by Simon Burns in the House of Commons towards the speaker John Bercow. It has been reported that Mr Burns called Mr Bercow a ‘stupid, sanctimonious dwarf’ when asked to face the chamber when answering questions from the despatch box. The RGA considers it inappropriate and offensive for the Minister of Health to use a type of disability as a term of insult.
Although the RGA welcome the apology from Mr Burns, the fact that the incidence will not be recorded in Hansard seems to suggest that the seriousness of this matter has not been understood.

This inappropriate use of the word ‘dwarf’ in this context adds to the negative stereotypes already in existence towards people of restricted growth and does little to help change attitudes in society.

Acting Chair Stephanie Birch said: “I am very disappointed that as Minister of Health he demonstrated such a lack of sensitivity toward the situation of people and families living with restricted growth who have been very hurt by these comments.”
The RGA has been campaigning for an end to the word ‘midget’ in the media for some time now. It has also called on MPs to take action to get offensive groups removed from the social networking site Facebook.

There are more than five hundred groups on Facebook that include the word dwarf in their title and a similar number that use the term midget. Some of these groups are offensive and encourage attack and intimidation of people with restricted growth. The RGA understand that people have freedom of speech, but some of these groups appear to incite hatred and harassment of disabled people.

 

The RGA would welcome a dialogue with the Minister of Health on how the quality of life for people of restricted growth can be improved and would like to know what his plans are to provide better health care provision for children and adults with restricted growth conditions.

 

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

1. The Restricted Growth Association is a registered charity in England and Wales and is the only charity representing all restricted growth conditions in the UK. The RGA provides vital information and support to improve the quality of life for persons of restricted growth, and their families.
2. Further media enquiries should be directed to the media officer at media@restrictedgrowth.co.uk.
3. The RGA released a previous Press Release on the term ‘midget’ in December 2009 and can be found from the following link: http://www.restrictedgrowth.co.uk/RGA-mword.php

Further information on the RGA campaign to remove offensive groups from Facebook can be found from the following link: http://www.restrictedgrowth.co.uk/newsdet.php?newsart=40

   

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